Want to know what to wear or sport in your wardrobe for 2011? We searched high and low, deep and wide to find you what trends and concepts are making their way into the male style lexicon au moment.

Trend 1 – The Mo’bike Panache

Calvin Klein leather

Modern trends generally start for women before being modified to suit men’s tastes. The motorcycle trend, however, emerges into men’s wardrobes at the same time this year, roaring into everyday wear albeit it to a much smaller degree.

Spearheaded by a number of design houses, including Burberry and Calvin Klein, the main element of the men’s version of trend are statement jackets – unlike women’s where we’ve also seen a number of additional pieces. The colour palette is much muted as well: it’s all black, a fact that makes the trend rather cliche for men but not so cliche that the only motorcycle jackets on trend are Brando jackets.

Trend 2 – Jewelry for Men

Bling, bling, ring a ding ding?

No longer just the choice of the metro-sexual, men’s jewelry has become a mainstream fashion statement. The luxury market took a beating in the down economy. No surprises there. But one segment has unexpectedly doubled since 2007: the men’s jewelry market. Spending on men’s jewelry now accounts for 20% of consumers’ high-end-jewelry expenditure. Men are buying jewelry to show they pay attention to their appearance. In this competitive work environment, it’s a necessity to stand out. In a way, men are returning to a time when royalty used jewelry to show their importance. It’s part of an ever evolving definition of masculinity.

What’s more, men are in most cases buying themselves the jewelry. Men’s jewelry is not a popular gift choice. So it’s not wives buying jewelry for their husbands. It’s men buying it because they like a piece and will spend close to $1,000 on a “statement piece” — like Bvlgari men’s ring designed by Anish Kapoor — and see it as an investment. The fastest-growing accessories, however, are bracelets and necklaces — up 23% and 21% respectively, from 2008. Cufflinks come in at No. 4.

Men can get themselves decked in gold, titanium, sterling silver, diamonds, CZ cubic zirconias and gemstones however for 2011, our hands down fav jewelry material is Stainless Steel. Versatile and long lasting, stainless steel is a great choice for men as it stands up to everyday wear well and its silver-grey colour matches perfectly with almost anything. For high end luxury jewelry look no further than Bvlgari, D&G Jewels, Tiffany & Co and even try the Simmons Jewelry Co. owned by rap mogul Russell Simmons. If your budget is tight, Macys, Bloomingdales, H&M and even JC Penney have a wide selection to suit any and every self respecting gent.

Trend 3 – The Savvy Sexual

Not metro, not retro but Savvy Sexual

He’s not metro – that’s too feminine for most men. Neither is he a retrosexual, star of the buffoon beer ad. He’s part of the marginalised army of men who care about their appearance but still like to drink beer and watch sports. He’s an astute shopper, a sophisticated consumer with the Web research skills to give him an outsize say in family purchases. He purchases his own clothes, he shops at a store at least once a month, he googles
related men’s style information regularly (google searches results: up to 37,200,000 for men’s clothing and 550,000 for men’s suits and 3,350,000 for men’s shirts in 2010), per year he spends about $1,800 on eating out, $701 on “audio and visual equipment,” and $552 on alcohol.

Men are becoming increasingly savvy about their consumption. They have to. We’re living in times where traditional roles are blurring and men are now single for longer and so they shop for food, groceries, clothes on their own. They’re clever, budget conscious and style savvy.

The savvy sexual cannot be confused however with the metrosexual. He’s no high-maintenance manscaper, nor a beer-swilling jock. He just wants to feel better about the way he looks and smell, yet also maintain an overall sense of masculinity. He’s a man who equates good grooming…with success and confidence.

We predict that in 2011, the Savvy Sexual man will be the dude of the year. YEP! You heard it first, here at MenStylePower.com. If you think you’re a Savvy Sexual, tell us! We’d love to know what resources, information and tips we can continue to offer you on your journey to becoming the best man possible you can be!

Trend 4 – Old World Glam, Old World Charm

Ralph Lauren Purple Label 2011 collection

In 2011, we’re kicking back. Waaaay back into the 1940s when gentlemanly charm, chivalry and substance was celebrated and expressed in finessed, highly taiolored clothing for men. Think top hats, velvet ‘smoking jackets’, kerchiefs and zoot suits.

The end of the Second World War saw the development of the style that is most often associated with the swing era. Clothes were full-cut again, with double-breasted, longer jackets and wider trousers. Shirts and coats came in a range of colors and hand-painted silk ties ran the range from elegant to exotic – featuring geometric designs or pin-up girls. Everyone wore a tie and through it, one could express one’s individuality. A man distinguished himself with his wide-brimmed, smart, strong, stylish hat – the fedora – worn by everyone from gangsters to businessmen and even President Roosevelt.

In 2011, menswear design houses like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Brioniand Yohji Yamamoto are turning back time, moving away from the traditional jeans market to tailored apparel and jaunty old world expression. Sometimes it takes a look back, to take a step forward.

Trend 5 – The “Confidence” Cut Suit

A single breasted suit with dual buttons and pointed lapels.

As with all fashionable men’s suits for 2011 and 2012 it’s cut that’s about the male physique and the revival of classic suiting elements. Unlike the previous ‘sleek cut’ single breasted suit described, however, it features one additional key attribute: instead of a slim to medium notched lapel, 2011’s confidence suit cut is all about peaked lapels. In this regard, the suit cut sits as something of a 1930s and 1970s revival – back then peaked lapels were the only kind worth having. With its obvious appeal, the confidence cut is more than just a single breasted suit cut. When it comes to on-trend double breasted suits, it’s the dominant cut.

Trend 6: Country Class

A countryside invasion

Fishing poles, picnics, hunting dogs, moist earth, forest glades and grassy patches. The tide is turning against the city boys, what with pollution, over stressed commuters, road rage and traffic woes it’s a relief to step out into the fresh, crisp air of the countryside and touch base with nature again.

In 2011, we urge you to flee the city, escape to the wild, explore the hunter, fisherman and equestrian in you and remember that while you’re on your country sojourn you’ll need the obligatory tweed jacket, gaberdine trousers, hiking boots or wellies and a pipe. Oh, and make sure you don’t leave home without your gilet (a specially crafted down and feather padded vest), your moleskins (Really? Moles died for a piece of clothing??), your cords and don’t be caught dead without your fleece jacket or check shirt. Check out ateliers like Dogwood London (www.dogwoodlondon.co.uk)and Alexander James (www.alexander-james.co.uk).

Trend 7: RED

Scale up the red in you

2011 is all about reclaiming what was lost in the last few years and shaking off the angst of the GFC. What better colour to do it in than the one most often associated with power and passion. RED is a fierce and emotionally intense color, symbolizing speed, sexuality, and style. Fast cars are red. Beautiful women wear red clothes and red lipstick. Red is also the color of romance and love.

The Nature of Red: A stimulant, red is the hottest of the warm colours. Studies show that red can have a physical effect, increasing the rate of respiration and raising blood pressure.

Using Red: Use the color red to grab attention and to get people to take action. Use red when you don’t want to sink into the background. Use red to suggest speed combined with confidence and perhaps even a dash of danger. A little bit of red goes a long way. Small doses can often be more effective than large amounts of this strong color. Multiple shades of red and even pink or orange can combine for a cheerful palette. Cool blues provide contrast and tone down the heat of red. Add a dash of red to a soft but sophisticated pink and gray combo. Fashion experts always recommend at least a splash of red when dressing for a job interview or any other important meeting, because red symbolizes power, decisiveness and leadership.

Red is so intense a color that it doesn’t suit everyone and should be chosen with caution. But you know that MSP is all about encouraging men to live a daring life, so don’t hold back. In 2011, it’s RED all the way baby!!

Trend 8: Eyewear if you dare

Out there, zany …

Did you know that the use of sunglasses started to become widespread in the early 1900s, when silver screen stars donned a pair of darkened spectacles NOT to avoid recognition by fans, but to protect their eyes from the powerful arc lamps used to light up Hollywood’s movie sets. Fans begun to imitate their favourite stars’ look and the phenomenon took off, persisting to today, long after the introduction of ultraviolet filters onset had eliminated this problem.”Aha!” you say. Aha indeed.

Today sunglasses are both functional and fashionable; helping to shield your eyes from harmful, cancerous rays sent by our evil sun and maintaining your ultra cool look while you do it. In 2011, we predict that the trendsetters will be sporting ever more ridiculous sunglasses. If you feel so led, please send (email: stylemeister@menstylepower.com) through a mug shot of yourself in an utterly zany pair and we may publish it on MSP.

Trend 9: Slip-On Magic

“Made in Italy by Gucci”

Forget shoe laces boys. The relaxed post GFC atmos has meant that along with fuss free, minimalist living, we’re looking for less time consuming, more economical and clean detailed products in every area of our lives … even shoes. At Gucci’s Spring 2011 Menswear show all the attention focused on footwear, namely slip on loafers. With a timeless and elegant approach, these “Made in Italy by Gucci” slip-ons work extremely well for both a chillaxed weekend look as they do as part of a tailored suit finish, adding panache and bring a vintage appeal to your overall image. Slip out and get you some slip on!

Trend 10: Men Who Are Men

Ben Hill – Super Masculine Male Model

Just like the womenswear industry is slowly turning against anorexic and overly thin representations of the female body, a similar movement is happening in the men’s arena. In 2011, we predict that real men, not boys, will dominate the male modelling business. Why? Well, it’s all part of the swing away from the metrosexual and boyish/childish representation of male-dom and we applaud the return to strong examples of masculinity.

Remember, when well-coifed celebrities such as David Beckham and Ryan Seacrest led the face peels, exfoliates, and other manscaping movement of the early noughties?

Those days are long gone, with the death of the “metrosexual” whose pre-eminence was related to something less than macho. We’re now eager and open to embracing strong male icons who aren’t shy to come across as strongly male – not boorish mind you, but rough and ready, muscled, powerful and a tad bit dangerous yet gentlemanly and refined. The ‘masculine’ trend is even seeping into women fashion, lending clearly structured and clean cuts, neutral colors, to clothes that seem to have been borrowed from a woman’s boyfriend’s wardrobe, yet reinterpreted in a feminine way.

And the faces of masculine style in 2011? Here they are in all their manly glory. (If you didn’t have the foggiest, these men are currently considered the world’s top male super models! Now you know!)

READ THIS!

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